Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-22
THE ENATION'SCAPITAL
Edward Atkinson's Report on
International Coinage.
Plumb Continues His Attack on the Pres
ident'S Message.
What the Senate and House Did on
Wednesday.
The Senate Confirm two Names Nomi-
nations
WASHINGTON. Dec. 81.


Congress has received a communication
from the President, containing the report of
Edward Atkinson of Boston, specially desig-
mated by Congress to visit the financial CEN
tres in Europe and ascertain the feasibility
of establishing by an international standard
a fixity of ratio between gold and silver,
and free coinage of both. Atkinson reports
no present disposition on the part of Euro
pean nations To take action which could affeci
the financial conditions in this country. None
of the European governmeI IS seriously con-
slider the proposition for an international
agreement upon the comparative value of
gold and silver or any movement in the direc-
tiou of international bi-metallism. He thinks
il will be unwise for the United States To
again take the initiative in the matter AS such
action misconstrued, might tend to retard the
object aimed at.
Secretary Fairchild took official notice to-
day of the report that two thousand Belgian
miners are to be imported to take the places
of the miners in the Lehigh region, now on
a strike He sent kilograms TO the collectors
of customs in New York, Philadelphia, Bos-
ton and Baltimore, calling their attention to
the report and instructing them to be vigi-
liant and prevent any violation of the alien
contract labor law.
SENATE.
A resolution was adopted insiructing the
committee on privileges and elections to
inquire into the expedlency of adapting a
form of lcredent ais of election of United
States senators.
A resolution looking to the reduction of
the letter postage to one cent was referred to
the post Office committee.
l. he, la,y ha
commission of fish and fisheries was called
up and passed.
1t provides for appointment by the Presi-
dent, with the consent of the Senate, of
commissioner possessed of a practical ac-
quaintance with fishing and the fisheries, at
a salary of S. 600 he not to hold any other
office.
Plumb continued his speech attacking the
Presidents messsge, and the latter's attitude
regarding the surplus alone and denounced
the Republican treasury policy, but declared
it consistent Beck replied in defense of the
President.
Dolph made a speech advocating the dis
posal of the surplus by internal improvements
followed by Vest, Plumb, Teller and others.
Holiday adjournment resolution finally
concurred in, yeas 81, nays IL as follows:
The navs were Berry, Blair, Bowen, Chand-
Ter, Davis, Dawes, Dolph, Frye, George,
ingalls,, Manderson Mitchell, Paddock,
Palmer, Platt, Plumb Riddeberger, Stew
art, Teller.-l9.
The Brir educational bill was taken up as
unfinished business, then on motion of Sher-
man at 4 50 the Senate proceeded with ex-
ecutiye business and a half hour later ad
journed.
The Senate confirmed the nomination of
Ii. NJ. Sewall of Bath, Me, to be counsul
general at Apia, and Nathan Cleaves to be
surveyor of customs at Portland, Me.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania from the
committee on rules, submitted partial re-
port which recommends the adoption of the
rules of the 10Th Congress until further or
ders, with the following changes; The MEM
bership of the committee on library to be IN
creased to five. \ standing committee Is
established to consist of thirteen members to
be known as committee on merchant marine
and fisheries, the addition of representa-
ton of delegate ON committee on private
land claims is recommended. The follow
select committees provided for: on reform
in the civil service, on the action of the Pres
ident vice president and representatives in
I NOnpTpss, Oh Tue lIAh ttbouo- oh AMMAN
depreciation claims. of thirteen members
each, on alcoholic traffic, of eleven members.
The proposed changes with one exception
recommended by an unanimous vote of the
committee That exception was an alec
holic liquor traffic, by the gentlemen from
Maneand Illinois, Reed and Cannon.
The comptroller of the currency appoint
ed Michael +. Dooley of Hartford, Conn,
examiner of National banks for the States of
Connecticut and Rhode Island in place of
Jas. w. Hyatt, resigned to accept the ap-
pointment of United States treasurer.
The report of the commission to investigate
the Pacific railroads will not be sent to Con-
gress until after recess.
After considerable discussion the House
agreed to the partial report of the committee
on rules, adopting the rules of the 49th Con
gress, with certain notifications. The House
adjourned